Next up: North Dakota State Bizon

[06panther10]

Re: Next up: North Dakota State Bizon

I heard coach farley on the radio today, and he was really pumping up the fargodome. He said it was one of the most unique settings in our whole division. So, he knows that it is a tough place to play, and I'm sure he has the guys ready for that.

[Roy Fleming]

Re: Next up: North Dakota State Bizon

Something that I haven't seen mentioned: Does anyone think that Farley hasn't done his part to get this team ready for UNI's first trip to Fargo in many years? NDSU might play the game of the season for them, but the Panthers may have to lay an egg to help. Anyone see THAT happening?

I guess it is possible. After all, NDSU is probably in the top ten of all the 1-4 teams in FCS. Top 15 if you include Division II.

[Cat80]

Re: Next up: North Dakota State Bizon

I guess it is possible. After all, NDSU is probably in the top ten of all the 1-4 teams in FCS. Top 15 if you include Division II.

Exactly. Counting on UNI to not care this game might be a stretch.

[01PantherFan]

Re: Next up: North Dakota State Bizon

TSN's take on the game............

No. 3 Northern Iowa (4-1, 2-0) at North Dakota State (1-4, 0-2), 4:07 p.m.

North Dakota State entered the Missouri Valley Football Conference last year as the preseason title favorite, but the Bison program has fallen on hard times. NDSU ended up a disappointing 6-5 last season and has dropped four of five this year.

Northern Iowa, meanwhile, shared the MVFC title last year and has established itself as one of the top teams in the country again in 2009.

The Panthers come into this contest with third best offense and fifth best rushing attack in FCS after four straight wins culminating in a 62-7 beat down of Indiana State.

Running back Derrick Law (301 yards rushing, 6.0 average, three TDs) has been the main factor on the ground for the Panthers since missing the opener due to injury.

Quarterback Pat Grace (1,241 yards passing, 68% completion percentage) ranks second nationally in passing efficiency and leads a UNI passing attack that is 14th in the country. Wideouts D.P. Eyman (19 catches, 17.2 average, three TDs) and D.J. Hord (18 catches, 17.2 average, three TDs) have been Grace's top targets.

UNI's ranks second nationally in total defense and first in scoring defense, allowing just 211 yards and eight points per game, but the Panthers haven't yet faced the heart of the MFVC. Buchanan Award nominee James Ruffin (20 tackles, 4.5 sacks) is the team's top pass rusher, while freshmen, cornerbacks Terrell McBride (19 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss) and James Conley (17 tackles) pace a young, but effective secondary.

North Dakota State is coming off of consecutive conference loses against Southern Illinois (24-14) and Illinois State (27-24), but has stayed close in games with the nation's leading rusher, Pat Paschall (754 yards rushing, 7.5 average, five TDs) pacing the nation's second-ranked rushing offense.

Quarterback Nick Mertens (903 yards passing, six TDs) has been solid, but has completed just 51% of his passes and has tossed an interception in six of his last seven games dating back to 2008. Sophomore wideout Warren Holloway (16 catches, 13.4 average) is Mertens' top target, but has yet to haul in more than five balls in a game.

Unfortunately, it's NDSU's defense that has kept the team from performing up to potential. The unit ranks 102nd in the country in total offense and 107th in pass defense. Linebacker Preston Evans (41 tackles, three tackles for loss), safety Kyle Belmont (24 tackles, two pass breakups) and defensive tackle Coulter Boyer (20 tackles, two sacks) have all performed well for this struggling unit.

UNI upended the then 16th-ranked Bison 23-13 last season and holds a 22-19 advantage in the all-time series. The Panthers have played sound football and are one of the best teams in FCS, and possess an offense that NDSU should have trouble against.

NORTHERN IOWA 40, NORTH DAKOTA STATE 21

[UNI Fight]

Re: Next up: North Dakota State Bizon

NDSU's running game will no doubt be our biggest conference test yet, and they can pass enough to keep us honest. But their defense is not going to stop our passing or running attack. NDSU is not a bad team, I think moons could align and if UNI doesn't come out firing on all cylinders NDSU can keep it close, but UNI is gonna take this one by 14 or more. I'm not so sure we'll allow them to score 21 points though, I'm gonna say 31-14.

[Trapped in California]

Re: Next up: North Dakota State Bizon

Running back Derrick Law (301 yards rushing, 6.0 average, three TDs) has been the main factor on the ground for the Panthers since missing the opener due to injury.

That's one way to put it.

[clenz]

Re: Next up: North Dakota State Bizon

Not much action on this board, kinda sad. hope you guys can step.it up!!!!

bison wont roll over, only standing room only seats left, its goonnna be loud!!!!!

Standing room only?


What about those 3200 student tickets that haven't been sold yet?

[UNIAlum95]

Re: Next up: North Dakota State Bizon

That's one way to put it.

I wonder if it had something to do with Farley's boot?

[clenz]

Re: Next up: North Dakota State Bizon

I wonder if it had something to do with Farley's boot?

Chances are his boot would do some real damage.

[Cap'n Cat]

Re: Next up: North Dakota State Bizon

There will be plenty of tickets. Those ticket managers release "urgent" statements like that to try and generate some last minute local interest.

[TravelingPanther]

Re: Next up: North Dakota State Bizon

looks like standing room only:

Your own fan site said only 700 out of 4000 student tickets had been claimed...people seemed concerned.

[TravelingPanther]

Re: Next up: North Dakota State Bizon

Something that I haven't seen mentioned: Does anyone think that Farley hasn't done his part to get this team ready for UNI's first trip to Fargo in many years? NDSU might play the game of the season for them, but the Panthers may have to lay an egg to help. Anyone see THAT happening?

No. Farley is going out of his way to make sure we are focused for every opponent. Then we slaughter them. That's his plan. He was even 10-15 mins late for his own show tonight.

[Trapped in California]

Re: Next up: North Dakota State Bizon

No. Farley is going out of his way to make sure we are focused for every opponent. Then we slaughter them. That's his plan. He was even 10-15 mins late for his own show tonight.

When has he been on time for that show?

[JayJ79]

Re: Next up: North Dakota State Bizon

When has he been on time for that show?

I'm guessing that Rima doesn't even really expect him to be there right at six, and he just plans on using that first ten minutes or so rehashing the previous game and whatnot.

Personally, I have no problems with him sacrificing a few minutes of radio time in order to finish practice or whatever. But then I'm not the one paying his salary/bonus/whatever for the radio show.

[DWadle1983]

Re: Next up: North Dakota State Bizon

Of course you're not going to roll over. You can't. It's impossible to roll over when you've already been shot dead.

You people are like the first German shot dead on the beach at Normandy. Congrats, you're already dead, and the the strongest army in history is just about to land and run your a-- over. Again and again.

Yeah, D-Day was standing room only and loud too. The result: A bunch of dead home-teamers.

Seriously. We're going to have you folks walking around with your finger in our belt loop, calling us "daddy" by about 4:00 on Saturday.

No, Normandy was a neutral site game, but you're right that Hitler couldn't back up his trash talk either.